Rick Spivey wrote: I think in general this type of tire is most often abused, meaning they get run under-inflated, they sit in the sun for long periods of time, they are not replaced very often, etc.

Rick and others,Is there an affordable way to protect them from the sun? You see RVs with covers over the tires. I'm guessing this simply is to hide them and make the surroundings more pleasing to the eye. Is there something of this nature that could protect trailer tires while they are awaiting their next call to duty?

Roy, those covers you see on RVs are to protect the tires from the sun and such. You can use the same thing on your trailer to protect them.

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.- Franklin D. Roosevelt -

Yup, Barnyard's right, those covers protect from UV degradation. They are not decorative, but actually functional. They would help on trailer tires as well, if you park it in the sun. More importantly, check air pressure at every use, and get leaks fixed immediately. I nursed a leaking tire along for two years, while trying to have it fixed three times. The one time I forgot to check the air before setting off, I smoked that tire within 50 miles of interstate driving. I had a spare (a proper trailer tire), and then replaced all four, as they were original to the 5 year old trailer.